Fitness Should Begin at Childhood: Shilpa Shetty

In a thought-provoking letter, the actor and fitness expert asks parents to make healthier food choices for their children and to inculcate the habit of staying fit.

By
Team ParentCircle

Dear Parents,

In today’s fast paced world, let us take a moment to think about ourselves – our health, lifestyle and our choices. Being an accountable parent, it is my foremost responsibility to care for my child’s well-being. It is vital for me as a guardian to instil in my little toddler the importance of staying fit, hale and hearty. My core duty is to make him understand the numerous benefits he will enjoy in the long run by staying healthy. As parents, you should take note of this during your child’s formative years.

Ever since my childhood, fitness has been an integral part of my life. I’ve played volleyball from my school days and represented Mumbai zone about five times. I have also actively been into sports like karate and taekwondo. Although I grew up being a little chubby, I still managed to stay fit.

I’m a very hands-on mom

Like most expecting and new mothers, I gained a couple of kilos after I delivered my baby, Viaan. But, thankfully, I managed to shed those extra unwanted kilos in the most natural way – lots of yoga, balanced diet and a rigorous, unceasing fitness regime. My nutritionist, Luke Coutinho, whom I got for my son too, has witnessed my entire journey of weight loss. My sole advice to all the to-be and new mommies out there is to consult a Nutritionist not just during your pregnancy but also after that. Staying fit post pregnancy should be the highest priority on your bucket list. Getting appropriate information about the right kind of diet you need after delivery will nurture your journey towards motherhood and help you arm your child with the appropriate nutrition.

After my son Viaan was born, I took fitness even more seriously. I started practising yoga. It is important for us mommies to stay fit and healthy. With respect to my son, I’m a very hands-on mom. I prefer doing activities with him rather than forcing him or preaching about a healthy lifestyle. On one of his birthdays, we baked a cake together from scratch. Cooking and baking with your child teaches them the right way of cooking and the concept of food nutrition. When children are involved in making food, they are interested in trying it out. This helps them make healthier choices on their own without you having to force them to do so. Once you inculcate these habits, it's going to stay with your child for a lifetime.

Aerated drinks and junk food are monster edibles

Children need the right kind of food and atmosphere at home to multitask. They not only have to go to school, complete assignments, write examinations but also take part in several extracurricular activities. The pressure on them increases with each passing year. So, give your child a nutritious diet. I make it a point that Viaan drinks a glass of buffalo milk instead of cow’s milk since it is richer in calcium and iron. Healthy breakfast forms an integral part of your munchkin’s diet. As a mother, you need to make sure you are in no way compromising on this healthy start.

Opting for local foods is way healthier than you think. All you need to do is adopt the right cooking process. Aerated drinks and junk food are monster edibles when it comes to children; fresh fruits and healthy snacks can be great substitutes. According to Luke Coutinho, who is a holistic nutritionist, “If your child is addicted to munching on junk food just because he or she can’t get over the taste, parents need to comprehend the long-term health jeopardies involved. Consumption of junk food for a prolonged period can result in obesity and harm the child’s maturing digestive system permanently. Unhealthy eating habits need to be controlled in children early in life to avoid future health risks. Parents should smartly replace the much-loved fries with healthy tapioca fries; oily chips can be swapped with soya chips; and aerated drinks can be replaced with lime juice. Once your tiny tot learns to treasure the importance of fitness, he will never go back to eating junk food ever again! Let your child get the rest he needs – a minimum of seven to eight hours of sleep at night.”

Support your child’s journey to ‘fit living’

You, as a parent, will play a fundamental role in teaching your child how to lead a disciplined life. Since children look up to parents as their biggest role models, parents themselves need to imbibe healthy living for children to follow suit. Set an example through your healthy eating habits and better lifestyle changes. Educate yourself before you make these changes. This is not a one year or two years commitment, it is a lifelong one. Always remember, it is your child’s journey towards a fit living and therefore, you need to provide her with the tools that make it worthwhile.

Go out and play

Lastly, here’s a message to my dear children. Go out and play! Switch off the television, step out and breathe in some fresh air. Playing outside helps you stay fit and healthy, and gives you a lot of energy to do everything you like. Sitting in front of the television will do you no good, it just drains your valuable energy. So, dear children now is the time for you to make the right choice. Eat well and adopt a healthier lifestyle. You are the future of our country. Take care of yourself, be fit and healthy today to be the best you can tomorrow!

Love,

Shilpa Shetty Kundra

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